Saturday, May 06, 2006
"You Go One Step Shy of Crazy, What Are You?"
"Passionate!"
So, today was the Philadelphia trip. The day started with my roommate and I both getting a phone call around 6:10 from the kids on the bus...the bus that we were supposed to be on at 6:00. I can't recall the last time I got ready that fast. It was pretty incredible. The ride up to Philly (haha, I just typed "Philly") was basically just me sleeping, and then watching the end of "A More Perfect Union." Then we got to the National Constitution Center.
So I got excited. I mean...this is an important place! We went into the center, watched a little dramatic performance about the Constitution, and then we got to go and do the interactive activities upstairs. There was a wall of people who had influenced the constitution, and a place where you could be sworn in as president. Not to mention the fact that there were questions posted up along the wall, and you were encouraged to answer them and then stick the post-it to the wall. They ensured us that "all comments are recorded by our staff for public opinion." We answered all the questions they asked us, and felt very civically minded.
After that place, we went and got through the security to get into Independence Hall. Our tickets weren't until 12:00, and so we had some time to walk around. There was this little exhibit there that I wanted to look at, and it was pretty well done. When I was leaving, one of the members of the society stopped me and asked me where I was from. He was probably in his late twenties, early thirties. I told him I was from Utah, and then he asked me not to leave before signing the guestbook. The interesting thing was that he didn't ask anyone else to stick around and sign the guestbook, and he'd kind of been following me and this other guy that came in with me from the group around the museum. They had a little embossing machine there that I wanted to stamp my paper with, and the guy comes over to do it for me. He says, "It shows up best on the purple, and the orange. I'm going to stamp the orange, because that's the color shirt you're wearing." He then stamped my book twice, and I left soon afterwards.
Then we went to the tour of Independence Hall. Our tour guide was funny, but in a mostly odd way. He kept making these jokes that were supposed to be really funny...but they kind of annoyed me. I wasn't there to hear stories about how the Yankees won the series in 1776...I was there to see the real historical stuff. It wasn't too bad though, I'm sure he's just trying to make it more entertaining for the people whose parents just drag them there against their will.
After that, we had 4 hours of free time. We first went to get Philly Cheese Steaks...because I don't know how I could have lived with myself if I hadn't...ok, maybe I could have. anyway, it was pretty good, but I think I like the local fare better...honestly. I'm also not the only one--another girl in the program has been to several Philly cheese steak places with me, and she agrees with me. We then went to see the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which include the stairs that Rocky Ran up. Actually...we just went to see the stairs. We rode there on the Phlash bus...which felt like it was going to fall apart at any minute. It was great. I had to run down the stairs to take a picture, and then I ran up the stairs and made sure to do the Rocky Triumphant thing...just like everyone else. Then we walked to another part near the museum to take a picture with the Thinker, and then to catch the Phlash bus back to our other Bus. We had a little time, so a friend and I visited a dollar store and a Ross...where I bought a green fuzzy blanket that was on sale (check out the sheets underneath--it's the fuzz stuff on one side, and the shiny stuff on the other...hideous, but soo soft!). I figured that it was a good functional souvenir from Philly. We then went to a Pizza place for dinner, and then we drove home. This was where I again slept quite a bit, and watched a bit of National Treasure. All in all, it was quite a satisfying day. I got to see a lot of great stuff, and I found out that I'm full of Benergy.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Wait, So Are You Like...A Mormon?
"So, where do you go to school?"
"Brigham Young University."
"Oh, I've heard of that...but I don't know why--are you guys good at sports or something?"
"Welll...we were once...in 1984."
"Oh...is it a big school?"
"About 35,000."
"Oh! Maybe that's where I heard about it."
"Maybe."
"Where is that again?"
"Provo, Utah."
"Oh, aren't there like, a lot of Mormons out there?"
"Yup."
"Are YOU a Mormon?"
"Yup!"
"Oh...can I ask you a question? There's something I've been wanting to clear up."
"Sure,"
"Well, umm...I don't know how to ask this."
"Don't worry about it, just ask." (this is the part where I thought she'd bring up polygamy)
"Well...Are Mormons the ones who believe that they get their own planets when they die?"
(I chuckle) "Well, not quite that quickly. We believe that God is our Father, and that he's enabled us to be able to eventually progress to become like him--kind of like a child can grow up to be like their father or mother. We don't, however, believe that you die and get [the keys to]* your own planet once you get to the other side. It's a long process."
"Oh, that makes sense. I just had to ask because I heard a Mormon and a Seventh-Day Adventist who were arguing about stuff, and that's the only part I remembered."
We went on to talk about other things after that. Later, she informed another guy we work with that I was LDS, and it's funny. I forget that people aren't just like...default LDS sometimes. Our office dress code is about the same as the honor code, so it makes it a little easier to do so. I'm so excited that they already know that I'm LDS...hopefully they'll keep asking questions. The first question the guy asked when she told him was, "did you do that mission thing?" I just answered that I hadn't and he replied, "Oh, you're one of THOSE Mormons." We all laughed, and he just-kiddinged it away, but all I could think was, "haven't done the mission thing...full time..." I hope I continue to leave these people with good impressions.
*I didn't actually say this at the time...I just now thought of it, and wish I'd been that clever at the moment...this is my blog though, so I'm allowed to play with History...as long as I tell you I did so.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Fake It Like You Mean It
Yay! I'm here in Washington D.C., and I'm really excited about it. I've started work at the Smithsonian, and it's going so well so far. Today I got trained on a lot of basics of the program, and I got asked to work on a special project that my Supervisor's Supervisor is working on with the Air and Space Museum. This equals really cool.
I also bought some sunglasses today that are really popular looking...let's see if I can find a comparable picture. Ok, that's about what they look like, except the hinge is metal, and has some small decorative rhinestones on it. It was awesome though--I totally walked down the street wearing these sunglasses, my hair long and flowing without frizz due to the increased moisture in the air, feeling all kinds of special because the Smithsonian is allowing me to help them on a project. The only thing that would make this day better is if my family and friends happened to be in the area. I'd run over to my friend's house with my silly sunglasses (apparently designed in Italy), and then I'd invite all of them over on a trip to the Library of Congress with me...which I'm taking tonight. My family would love the library...we're all a lot of big readers. Meaning, of course, that we read a lot...not that we're a bunch of fatties...dang.
Anyway, I hope you're enjoying yourselves wherever you are, and that if you're not having fun yet, feeling confident yet, or liking what you're doing right now, that you'll fake it. Fake it hard core. Pretty soon, you'll probably fool yourself, along with the rest of the world. I seem to be doing a pretty good job of it right now. :)
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Good Morning!
Actually, it's interesting. Unnamed Hall has been my home for the past three years, and basically encapsulates my experiences here. These dinky rooms have been my home. I've learned a lot about education, history, physics, political science, student development etc. here, and a whole lot more about myself and the people that I have relationships with. DT has helped to establish my current sleeping patterns (or lack thereof) and it's been here for almost every one of my successes and failures in college.
You know, I guess I'm kind of attached. I'll miss the Mount Timpanogos/Provo Temple view that I've had for two of the years. Funny, the only year I haven't had this view was last year, when Best Friend was in the MTC...maybe that was on purpose. Can't have too much sentimental gazing into the distance...right? ;)
I don't think that I'll miss the maintenance problems, or the fact that I can't paint the walls, as much as I would have liked to. I don't think I'll miss the Freshmen Guys as the only male company apart from the RA's, but I will miss the aspect of being an RA where you get to see people, well--Freshmen girls, who are people too etc. etc.--just grow up. Freshmen year is so defining for so many people. I worry about some of my girls, and the patterns that they've established...but I guess you just can't do much to make people choose the right, you can just try and guide them. I'll also miss the chance to have huge communal bathroom coversations, and the fact that I basically get 40 automatic friends when the semester starts out.
Hrmm, I just yawned, and my breath smells pretty bad. I think it's time to brush my teeth. ooh--speaking of teeth brushing, when my sister and I ran the Rex Lee Run the other weekend, they gave us some toothpaste with Japanese all over the back called "NEWAYS." It's disgusting, and I don't really think it cleans my teeth at all. The taste of it is almost as bad as the Shrek Swamp Chocolate toothpaste that one of my friends gave me once. THAT stuff was rank.
OK, time to get ready for the morning. Time to get showered, do laundry, pack, work on finishing up my class for D.C. and send a couple things at the post office. I leave for D.C. in about....
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Men Are...
Bet you guys were all thinking this was going to be some kind of male-hater post...you really should know me better than that. ;)
So, today's lesson is that God actually means what he says. He really does want us to be happy. No, really--I'm totally not kidding here. Without realizing it, I've been super disbelieving about this particular scripture, or at least not fully believing in it. I guess I've been thinking that God wants us to be really happy, but we've all got to have some kind of pet sorrow or something like that to remind us that we're not actually in the Celestial Kingdom yet. That's a huge load of malarky. We really can be just...happy. Better than happy--we can have joy.
I found out today that I can get a grant from the government that pays for my trip to DC. Not just my flight out there, but my housing, food, etc, with money to spare for my savings account that I've been trying desperately to fill since the beginning of the year.
This is incredible news! I'm getting the opportunity to fulfill a dream, avoid going into debt for it, and get some really incredible work experience at the same time. Allow me to once again go over the details of what living my dream entails:
1. Interning in the Museum of American History at the Hands-On Science Center. Yes, that's right...the combination of history and science, and teaching it to people who voluntarily showed up to learn. YAY!
2. Living in Washington D.C., and not only that, but living in D.C. for 4 months. That's 4 months of Lincoln Memorial, Museums, Library of Congress, etc. AHH!
3. Being in the Capital of our Nation on the 4th of July. The only places I can think of that fall in close proximity are Philadelphia, or maybe just here in Provo with my favorite people.
4. I have government clearance. Clearance for some briefings, clearance for some areas of the museum, not to mention, I'm attending the Smithsonian-wide Staff Meetings. Wahoo!
Alright, so I'm totally excited. And you know what else, it's completely ok for me to be really excited about this. I don't have to feel guilty, or concerned about what it all means--I am allowed to just be completely and totally happy about it. I am blessed with all sorts of open heaven windows right now, and I'm perfectly willing to just let the blessings fall where they may. God loves me, and that's wonderful.
Alright, so this entry is going to get long, but I've got a lot to say, so it's alright. I was thinking on Sunday about activity in the Church, and what it really means to be "active." Someone in my ward in testimony meeting said, "I'd always gone to church, but I wasn't really active." This sentence struck me as really interesting. A lot of us are technically active according to the roles, but we're basically passive as far as what we're doing to get things out of our experience at church. Not inactive, because we're making some effort, but we're certainly not putting anything into the actual meetings. We come to the feasts that are offered expecting to be spoon fed, when we really just need to pick up a fork and dig right in. So, I've got a new goal. I'm going to start acting in a manner that shows how much I love my religion.
Yeah...I think that's the end for today. Happy last day of finals, and here's to hoping you've got a great summer in the works.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Lessons Learned From Jock Rock 2006
2. Brick Oven is a lousy place to try and hide from the Police, especially if you're trying to hide with about 50 other people.
3. 15 People piled in the back of a pick-up truck wearing athletic gear and acting drunk definitely don't give the aura that they didn't go to Jock Rock.
4. In Provo, if you have a party large enough, almost all the police are called to break it up. The other ones go to Llamapalooza, or the ER with an injured suspect in handcuffs.
5. If you want to break the steriotype that Jocks are dumb, you should stop acting like it, and not throw things called "jock rock."
In other news, It's now the end of Day 1 of finals. I've got one final tomorrow, a lot of my room packed today, and I'm off duty in about 15 minutes. Hope finals are going well for all of you.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Forever and a Day
First off, I bought a car. A lovely, wonderful, amazing car, that really and truly belongs to me and allows me the mobility and freedom to drive to work, and see my family, and anything else I need to do. It's really great.
Secondly, I did it. What is this "it," you're all wondering? Well, for those of you who don't know, I applied for an internship with the Smithsonian. Yes, that's right, The Smithsonian. If, somehow, you don't know what that is, I'm sorry first off, as I have met several people who fall into that catagory, and you can go here to find out about it. That's actually just the National Museum of American History...there are about 5 different museums. I'm working in the Hands on Science area. Find out about that here. I'm way excited. I leave on April 30th, and then come back August 20th. Crazy eh? I'm spending almost 4 entire months in Washington DC as an intern at the Smithsonian...I still can't believe it. I actually really and truly did it!
Now, that fact is great, but it causes a few problems. First, I've got to figure out where I'm staying...if any of you have relatives who might be looking for boarders...let me know. I'm not looking for a free room--I'm totally willing to pay rent, and I don't expect food or anything. I just need a place to sleep at night. Yeah...let me know.
So, Yeah...exciting huh? I think it's awesome. I'm so excited for school to be over, because I'm feeling totally done with school right now. Unfortunately, until I've got all the details worked out for the Smithsonian, the fact that the school year is ending in a mere 4 weeks is a little stressful. I've been packing my room and trying to figure out what I need to take with me to DC, what to do with the stuff I'm leaving here, etc. etc. etc.
I have bought my plane ticket though...and that's a pretty huge step for me. That makes it real...like, I'm actually going. It still hasn't sunk in, I hope it does sometime before I actually get there.
Monday, March 20, 2006
MBTI = ENFJ
So our professional is explaining things, and she's describing the different categories. Then she makes us write each letter, and then draw a line between them to show how far along the line we think we are. As she's describing them, this is what my paper looks like:

Hooray! I hope that I really can be this ENFJ--they sound like people who make the world better.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
"Oh...you're...you're YOU!"
That was probably one of the longest run-on sentences I've ever written...anyway.
I had that experience yesterday. My Best Friend, and another good friend (we'll call him "Second in Command") used to tell me about these two girls that they knew. They were referred to as simply "The Ali's." Well...I happen to work with one of the Alis, and as she started telling me a story involving Best Friend and Second in Command, I suddenly realized that she, was, in fact, not just a title, but honestly really and truly a person, who also happened to be the individual from our past discussions. She's going to read this and think, "You're weird" as will many others, but lets see if I can explain it a little better.
Do you ever have times in your life when things just suddenly become real to you? I had a lot of experiences like this a couple of summers ago, when we went to Palmyra, and then Gettysburg. Suddenly, things like the Sacred Grove were not just happy little pictures in my mind, they were real places where incredible things happened that began the restoration of the Church. The people who died at Gettysburg are real, and their graves in the cemetery at Gettysburg just made me cry. I walked along the rows of different headstones from various wars, and it just hit me--these are PEOPLE, well...were.
Other things have started to hit me for real too lately. Things like the fact that my family actually lives within driving distance of me, that the semester is only 2 months from being over, and that this is going to be a really awesome year. It's just...wow.
Life is real, life is earnest
And the grave is not the goal
Dust thou art, to dust returneth
Wast not spoken of the soul.
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Friday, February 24, 2006
Olympic Commediantary
"Now, there's a difference in the short and the long program, and that difference is time."
Really?!? :)
"That's a lady."
Alright, now I know that he was referring to the winner of the gold medal in a way that stated that she possessed grace and refinement...but it's just funny to hear, especially after he said the first quote.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Biv·ou·ac
A Psalm of Life
by Henry
I
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
II
Life is real--life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal:
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
III
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destin'd end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
IV
Art is long, and time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
V
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
VI
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act--act in the glorious Present!
Heart within, and God o'er head!
VII
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footsteps on the sands of time.
VIII
Footsteps, that, perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwreck'd brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
IX
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
So, yeah--just a really good poem. I loved learning the word bivouac (A temporary encampment often in an unsheltered area.), and the upbeat tone that it held. Basically, I think it says that life is going to be real--but it's not the end, and we should live in the moments of this life, in order to gain the goods of the next. Not that the goods of this life aren't worth getting a bit of too... :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Theme Song of the Day
Nat King Cole
What a day this has been
What a rare mood I'm in
Why it's almost like being in love
There's a smile on my face
For the whole human race
Why it's almost like being in love
All the music of life seems to be
Like a bell that is ringing for me
And from the way that I feel
When that bell starts to peal
I could swear I was fallen
Swear I was fallen
Well, it's almost like being in love
All the music of life seems to be
Like a bell that is ringing for me
And from the way that I feel
When that bell starts to peel
I would swear I was fallen
Swear I was fallen
Why, it's almost like being in love.
Today has been an excellent day. You know why? Yeah...Me neither. It's just been a really great day. I started out with breakfast, went running, read my textbook, read some of the New York Times, and then went to class. Once I got into class, my teacher went through the analysis papers that we recently turned in. Each one of them is worth 10 points, and only 3 students in the class got full credit. I was totally one of those students. Not only that, but he read my paper to the class. He then stuck it randomly in the pile so that people wouldn't have to know whose paper it was. He did the same thing with a couple of other papers. I felt so stinkin' good at school again for the first time in a little while. I got my paper back with all kinds of compliments and words like 'exemplary' and 'good!' all over it. If I had a large fridge, that paper would so be on it. This is my way of doing the same thing I guess. I wrote a letter, well...card, that's hilarious, then it was off to RA class, where I was really friendly due to my excellent mood, and then dinner with the RA's in my hall, which is always tons of fun. I came back to a great note from Uffish, and an even more artistic card (Which I loved, by the way--thanks a million:D) And now here I am back in my room, putting away the laundry that I washed yesterday and getting ready to do my CS homework.
Ordinary, ordinary things, but I am so happy right now because I've gotten so much accomplished. I'm starting to think that I should eat breakfast and go running every morning, solely for the sake of feeling great about life every day. Heck, maybe I'll even make a habit out of reading my textbooks and the newspaper, not to mention doing well on papers and writing letters and eating dinner... What's the good life? The good life is actually doing all the ordinary things I'm supposed to do anyway. Here's to actually livin' the good life. Hope you're all doing the same.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
One Year Older and Wiser Too
OK, just kidding, I promise I'm not actually that conceited. If I feel awesome, it's because I have all these people who care about me. As the commercials say "_____ people can't be wrong," right? As my best friend once put it, "guess there's something to me after all." I've felt very special today, and life is good.
For a lot of my birthdays I've grown up expecting to feel some sort of magical difference the morning I woke up. When I turned 16 I though that I'd feel somehow less awkward, more attractive, and suddenly dateable.
That didn't really happen.
Then at 18, I thought I'd wake up and feel like a grown up--I mean, the world says with that birthday that I'm entitled to certain rights and privileges, I should certainly wake up feeling righted and privileged, right?
That didn't really happen either...
And now I'm 21. "Legal" as many of my friends have reminded me. You know what though? I do feel different. It's not something that's come on all of a sudden, and I didn't wake up with the feeling this morning, but I just feel like I'm older, wiser, and more grown up somehow then I was about a year ago. Having to deal with things like finances and 2 jobs and time management has an amazing way of turning you grown up. I feel like I've got a pretty good idea of what I'm doing, where I think I'm going and how it is that I'm going to get there. And even if plans change, God still knows me, and he still knows where it is that I really need to end up.
So I guess that what I really am this Birthday is honestly grateful. I'm grateful for friends who care about me, I'm grateful for a family that loves me, and I'm grateful that people took time out of their ordinary days to make mine extraordinary. Thanks to all of you, for everything.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The Higher the Ponytail....
I certainly didn't think that this was an adage that had been proven, but work tonight, and any night I've worn my hair up in a high ponytail has proven differently. Every single time I have my hair up higher, I get guys who act like we're suddenly back in the 4th grade and they're trying to get my attention. Servers who don't notice I'm back there stocking their glasses for them on a low ponytail day are suddenly throwing napkins at me, standing in my way in the doors, and flirtaciously hitting me in the arm while trying to sound witty. A guy at the pasta bar tonight started to strike up a conversation with me about Fettacini, apparently assuming that since I worked there, I must be all kinds of knowledgeable about it...

..again, not the case. At least he realized that he was sounding silly, because he stopped mid sentence and said, "Wow, now I'm just rambling." At that point I came back with a witty and well placed comment:
"Would you like a sausage or meatball?"
The poetry of it all.
Anyway, I guess I've learned that a high ponytail is another feminine wile...either that, or it just evokes thoughts of cheerleaders and school spirit, which puts some guys into a football jock mind set, which causes them to try and impress you? I really don't know, but the reactions are amusing, though hardly impressive.
On a different note, I turned in like, 24 books 1 day late to the library after break, and I was expecting the massive fine of 24 dollars to be my very own. I checked my account today though, and they apparently decided to forgive the whole thing. Hooray for a benevolent and kind library staff! Yay for the HBLL!
And now, back to physics and computer science homework, and then onto working on something much more exciting and fun...but I'll have to talk about that later.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
"But My Lips Hurt Real Bad..."
Classes are off to a good start. I'm excited in particular about taking French and Italian Cinema. I really contemplated taking the History of Jazz, but I think it was more expensive...and my best friend has already taken it. I figure we can compare notes on both classes and become doubly cultured and intelligent. It'll be all kinds of cool.
I'm in History 220 right now, and the professor is really funny. He's going through the syllabus, and he gets to the University Cheating Policy, which I'm almost certain is required to be in every syllabus written at BYU. Anyway, he said the following:
"Don't cheat, because if you do, things will heat up for you later...like when the flames are burning you in Hell."
He then goes on for about 2 minutes about how he doesn't to have to come down and relieve your suffering if you do choose to cheat, so you should probably just not do it. He gets off topic a lot, but it's entertaining, and that's more than I was expecting for my tuition, so it can't be all bad, right?
I'm also taking Computer Science classes, for my computer science teaching minor, which is now replacing physics teaching. Turns out, I'm just not that good at physics. Anyway, I walk into the class on the first day of school, and there are about 80 guys in there, in varying stages of relationships (single--->married). There are a whopping 4 girls. One of these girls is a continuing education student, so she's had a few kids, and she's definitely married. The other two girls who are there aren't white. Turns out, at least on Monday in this class, I am the only single white female. Since when does that happen at BYU...or most anywhere else? I can't really recall ever having been in the minority before...unless being LDS is what we're judging by. Anyway, I thought it was funny.
School is looking good, Summer isn't far away, and things are looking good for the next few semesters. As long as I do this right, I should be able to graduate in December of 2007. Then it's hopefully into a real job, and life will be terribly and incredibly good...
...as if it weren't already!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Everlasting Goldfishers
I got back to my room today after being gone for about 10 days. Before leaving, I fished a goldfish out of a toilet on one of the other floors. We're technically just supposed to flush them...but he was so cute and, well, shiny, that I decided he deserved a fighting chance. I filled up a bowl that I have with clean water, stuck some marbles in the bottom, grabbed a few baby spider plants off a plant that I got from my best friend's mom...you know, for oxygen! I then crumbled up a few pieces of stale cheerio into the bottom, and wished the fish a happy life, and a Merry Christmas.
I walked into my room fully expecting him to be dead in the bowl. Sad as it might be, I could at least feel alright flushing a dead fish...I mean, at least he wasn't alive, right? Well, my little fishy friend was and is alive as ever. He was stuck in a bowl with less than half the water that I originally put in there, and no more cheerio, but he's alive and kickin'.
That's where my story continues. The thing is, all the fish I've ever had are hearty fish. I went to a fair with a guy named Alex when I was living in California, and we managed to win one of those silly little goldfish from the game where you have to toss a ping pong ball into the fish bowl. Well, that fish lived in my house for about 5 months, and then we had to move, so I gave the fish to his little sister. I talked to her again about a year later, and the fish was still alive..swimming in the fish tank with all her other fish, just as not-dead as ever.
Last year, I swiped a fish from the big dance they do here. They put them on the tables, and then they just flush them all afterwards, so I decided just to take one. I took the whole little bowl, snuck it home, transplanted the fish into a cup of my own, and then returned the rest of the stuff to where I'd gotten it...just sans fish. This fish lived in the office of our building, and bore the name of the general manager of housing for our area...after all, you can't flush the manager, right? After a little while, my Hall Advisor said we should probably get rid of it, and she gave it to a brother nearby. At last word, which was about 7-9 months later, that fish too was also alive and kickin'.
So now I've created a problem for myself. Not only did the fish live, now I'm attached. He's managed to survive 10 days on his own in a little bowl in my room with nothing but plants for oxygen and stale cheerio for food, and he survived for a few days in a Dorm Toilet. Can I really just end this guy's life with a singular non-caring trip down the porcelain basin?
I just don't think I have it in me. If you want a fish, let me know, this one is apparently hearty.
Friday, December 16, 2005
"...Be Good, for Goodness' Sake..."
Anyway. Santa Claus is coming to town plays at least twice an hour, and I always listen to the words. First, because they're vaguely stalker-esque (he sees you when you're sleeping, he knows if you're awake...creepy.), but the phrase that struck me in particular was the phrase, "He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good, for goodness sake."
What an interesting concept. Being good, solely for the sake of goodness...Now, the song isn't about that at all. It's about being good so that you get presents and not coal, but it brings up an interesting idea, even unintentionally. Being good just because it's good, and not because you're afraid of consequences--immediate or long term, but just because it's good to be good. Someday I'll get there...and do the right things simply because they are just that--the right things. Not because they're a more appealing option in the long run, or because they're just what I'm supposed to do, but because they're good...
Oh for goodness sake... :D
Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year too, in case I don't write anything on here in the meantime. I've got a lot of stuff to get done, and only about a week at home with my family before some of us move out to Utah, to be followed later by the rest. Merry Christmas to all, Happy Holidays to the rest, and to all, a very good night.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
A Beautiful Mind?
I'm sitting next to my window, which moments ago was covered with a physics problem that I'd worked out on it. I came up with the idea earlier today because I have to be on duty tonight, and it's been the best way I've ever done my homework. Right now, I'm looking forward to my classes next semester, because I can do more of my homework this way...It's gonna be amazing.
Anyway, I'm also laughing at the way I look today. Took a shower, and didn't do anything to my hair, which means it's down, for once. That honestly almost never happens. I'm also wearing glasses, because I can't remember the last time that I took my contacts out, and they were kind of glued to my eyeballs this morning. Needless to say, it's about time I got some new ones.
Anyway, back into my world of numbers and letters...And then onto Argentina. I'm doing all kinds of traveling in this little imaginative world of mine. Let's just hope that when Finals Week is over and done, I don't emerge with friends from those places that no one else can see....
Friday, December 09, 2005
Chronicles of Narnia
I also really love the books. I'm not feeling particularly eloquent at the moment...though that could have a great something to do with the lateness of the hour. Regardless, C.S. Lewis is an incredible author, and I should probably try and get into one of the classes about him sometime whilest at BYU.
Happy Finals Everyone.